2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

The 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Steve Spurrier, who was in his fifth season at USC. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Carolina finished the season 7–6, winning the Palmetto Bowl over in-state rival Clemson 34–17 in their final regular season game,^[1] before losing in the PapaJohns.com Bowl 20–7 against Connecticut.^[2]

2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football
PapaJohns.com Bowl, L 7–20 vs. Connecticut
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Eastern Division
Record	7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach	Steve Spurrier (5th season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Ellis Johnson (2nd season)
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	Williams-Brice Stadium
Uniform
Seasons ← 2008 2010 →

2009 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Eastern Division
No. 3 Florida x%		8	–	0					13	–	1
Georgia		4	–	4					8	–	5
Tennessee		4	–	4					7	–	6
Kentucky		3	–	5					7	–	6
South Carolina		3	–	5					7	–	6
Vanderbilt		0	–	8					2	–	10
Western Division
No. 1 Alabama x$#		8	–	0					14	–	0
No. 17 LSU		5	–	3					9	–	4
No. 20 Ole Miss		4	–	4					9	–	4
Arkansas		3	–	5					8	–	5
Auburn		3	–	5					8	–	5
Mississippi State		3	–	5					5	–	7
Championship: Alabama 32, Florida 13
# – BCS National Champion $ – BCS representative as conference champion % – BCS at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

South Carolina avoided a repeat of the quarterback controversy from last season, as Stephen Garcia became the first Carolina quarterback to start every game in a season since Dondrial Pinkins in 2003.^[3][4] However, the Gamecocks returned very few proven skill players and faced what was called the most difficult schedule in the country.^[3][5] The Gamecocks still won most of the games on that schedule, including two against top-15 teams, though postseason struggles under Spurrier continued.^[2]

"Sandstorm" became a phenomenon.^{[lower-alpha 1]} The 1999 Finnish trance song was played before two decisive plays during a home game against No. 4 Ole Miss. With these plays, South Carolina sealed a historic upset, their first win against a top-5 team since 1981. After this, "Sandstorm" became cemented with the program and its fans. By 2010, it would be described as South Carolina's "unofficial anthem" and "second fight song".^[10][11]

Despite the 7–6 record and "embarrassing" bowl loss,^[2] the upsets over Ole Miss and Clemson has been described as catalysts to the most successful era in program history: an SEC East Championship in 2010 and 11-win seasons in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Each of those years also saw victories over Clemson – South Carolina's longest winning streak in the rivalry.^[12][13][14]

Preseason

On April 11, 2009, the Garnet squad defeated the Black squad, 30–14, in the annual Garnet & Black Spring Game, in front of a crowd of 25,157. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia finished the game 13–20 with 144 yards and two touchdowns, while true freshman Jarvis Giles led the ground game with 114 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	7:30 pm	at NC State*		Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, North Carolina	ESPN	W 7–3	57,583[15]
September 12	7:00 pm	at No. 21 Georgia		Sanford Stadium Athens, Georgia (rivalry)	ESPN2	L 37–41	92,746[16]
September 19	7:00 pm	Florida Atlantic*		Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, South Carolina	PPV	W 38–16	72,017[17]
September 24	7:30 pm	No. 4 Ole Miss		Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, South Carolina	ESPN	W 16–10	74,724[18]
October 3	7:00 pm	SC State*		Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, South Carolina	ESPNC	W 38–14	77,066[19]
October 10	12:30 pm	Kentucky	No. 25	Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, South Carolina	SECRN	W 28–26	68,278[20]
October 17	7:45 pm	at No. 2 Alabama	No. 22	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama	ESPN	L 6–20	92,012[21]
October 24	7:00 pm	Vanderbilt	No. 23	Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, South Carolina	ESPNU	W 14–10	75,624[22]
October 31	7:45 pm	at Tennessee	No. 21	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, Tennessee (rivalry)	ESPN	L 13–31	96,263[23]
November 7	12:21 pm	at Arkansas		Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, Arkansas	SECN	L 16–33	68,865[24]
November 14	3:30 pm	No. 1 Florida		Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, South Carolina	CBS	L 14–24	79,297[25]
November 28	12:00 pm	No. 15 Clemson*		Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, South Carolina (Palmetto Bowl)	ESPN	W 34–17	80,574[26]
January 2	2:00 pm	vs. Connecticut*		Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama (PapaJohns.com Bowl)	ESPN	L 7–20	45,254[27]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll All times are in Eastern time

^[28]

Schedule notes

• Carolina's 2009 schedule was rated the toughest in the nation by college football guru Phil Steele.^[29]
• Radio coverage for all games was on the Gamecock Sports Radio Network.^[30]
• The week four game against Ole Miss was played on Thursday, September 24, as part of the ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime package.^[31]
• The week eleven game against Florida on November 14, 2009, featured the Gamecocks wearing special black and desert camouflage uniforms designed by Under Armour in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.^[32]

Game summaries

NC State

See also: 2009 NC State Wolfpack football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamecocks	7	0	0	0	7
Wolfpack	0	0	3	0	3

Georgia

See also: 2009 Georgia Bulldogs football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamecocks	17	6	5	9	37
Bulldogs	14	17	7	3	41

Florida Atlantic

See also: 2009 Florida Atlantic Owls football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Owls	3	13	0	0	16
Gamecocks	10	7	21	0	38

Ole Miss

See also: 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rebels	3	0	0	7	10
Gamecocks	0	6	10	0	16

SC State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	7	0	7	14
Gamecocks	0	10	21	7	38

Kentucky

See also: 2009 Kentucky Wildcats football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	3	14	3	6	26
Gamecocks	7	7	7	7	28

Alabama

See also: 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamecocks	0	6	0	0	6
Crimson Tide	10	3	0	7	20

Vanderbilt

See also: 2009 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Commodores	0	7	3	0	10
Gamecocks	0	7	0	7	14

Tennessee

See also: 2009 Tennessee Volunteers football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamecocks	0	3	10	0	13
Volunteers	14	7	7	3	31

Arkansas

See also: 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamecocks	3	7	6	0	16
Razorbacks	7	3	16	7	33

Florida

See also: 2009 Florida Gators football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Gators	10	7	0	7	24
Gamecocks	7	7	0	0	14

vs Clemson (rivalry)

See also: 2009 Clemson Tigers football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 18 Clemson	7	0	0	10	17
South Carolina	14	3	7	10	34

Game information

First quarter (14:41) CLEM – CJ Spiller 88-yard kickoff return (Richard Jackson kick) (Clemson 7-0) (5:21) SC – Brian Maddox 1-yard run (Spencer Lanning kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:23; Tied 7-7) (2:01) SC – Weslye Saunders 9-yard pass from Stephen Garcia (Spencer Lanning kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 11 yards, 0:45; South Carolina 14-7) Second quarter (10:44) SC – Spencer Lanning 47-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 4:03; South Carolina 17-7) Third quarter (7:47) SC – Tori Gurley 14-yard pass from Stephen Garcia (Spencer Lanning kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:26; South Carolina 24-7) Fourth quarter (11:23) CLEM – Richard Jackson 45-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 1:52; South Carolina 24-10) (5:22) SC – Spencer Lanning 38-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 6:01; South Carolina 27-10) (3:46) CLEM – Michael Palmer 22-yard pass from Kyle Parker (Richard Jackson kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 1:36; South Carolina 27-17) (2:40) SC – Weslye Saunders 1-yard pass from Stephen Garcia (Spencer Lanning kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:06; South Carolina 34-17)

Game Twelve– No. 18 Clemson Tigers (8-3) at South Carolina Gamecocks (6-5) – Game summary

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

• Date: Saturday, November 28, 2009
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: Clear
• TV: ESPN

Statistics	CLEM	SC
First downs	14	21
Total yards	61–260	80–388
Rushing yards	19–48	58–223
Passing yards	226	175
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	22–42–1	11–22–1
Time of possession	14:09	27:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Clemson	Passing	Kyle Parker	22/42, 212 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	CJ Spiller	9 carries, 18 yards
	Receiving	Michael Palmer	8 receptions, 106 yards, TD
South Carolina	Passing	Stephen Garcia	10/21, 126 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Kenny Miles	17 carries, 114 yards
	Receiving	Alshon Jeffery	4 receptions, 65 yards

Connecticut

See also: 2009 Connecticut Huskies football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Huskies	10	3	0	7	20
Gamecocks	0	0	0	7	7

Players

Depth chart

Projected starters and primary backups versus Clemson on November 28, 2009.

Defense FS Chris Culliver Akeem Auguste WLB MLB SLB ⋅ Shaq Wilson ⋅ Nathan Turner Josh Dickerson ⋅ SS Darian Stewart DeVonte Holloman CB Akeem Auguste C.C. Whitlock DE DT DT DE Cliff Matthews Ladi Ajiboye Nathan Pepper Clifton Geathers Byron McKnight Melvin Ingram Kenny Davis Devin Taylor CB Stephon Gilmore D. J. Swearinger Offense WR Alshon Jeffery Jason Barnes LT LG C RG RT Kyle Nunn Garrett Chisolm Lemuel Jeanpierre T. J. Johnson Hutch Eckerson Jarriel King Garrett Anderson Garrett Anderson Lemuel Jeanpierre Quintin Richardson TE Weslye Saunders Justice Cunningham WR Moe Brown Tori Gurley QB Stephen Garcia Reid McCollum Key reserves RB Jarvis Giles RB Eric Baker WR D.L. Moore WR Stephen Flint WR Matt Clement DE Aldrick Fordham DE Chaz Sutton SPUR Alonzo Winfield RB Brian Maddox Kenny Miles FB Patrick DiMarco Dalton Wilson Special teams PK Spencer Lanning P Spencer Lanning KR Bryce Sherman PR Stephon Gilmore LS Charles Turner

Awards

• Devin Taylor - SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, 9/7/09;^[33] College Football News Third-Team Freshman All-American;^[34] SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[35] Rivals.com SEC All-Freshman Team^[36]
• Jarvis Giles – SEC Freshman of the Week, 9/21/09^[37]
• Eric Norwood – SEC Defensive Player of the Week, 9/28/09;^[38] Butkus Award Finalist;^[39] First-Team Coaches All-SEC;^[40] First-Team AP All-SEC;^[41] First-Team ESPN All-SEC;^[42] Walter Camp First-Team All-American;^[43] First-Team AP All-American^[44]
• Alshon Jeffery – SEC Freshman of the Week, 10/12/09;^[45] College Football News First-Team Freshman All-American;^[46] SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[47] Rivals.com SEC All-Freshman Team;^[48] Scout.com Freshman All-American Team;^[49] FWAA Freshman All-American Team^[50]
• Ladi Ajiboye - SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, 11/30/09^[51]
• Cliff Matthews – Second-Team Coaches All-SEC;^[52] Honorable Mention AP All-SEC^[53]
• Chris Culliver – Second-Team AP All-SEC^[54]
• Stephon Gilmore – College Football News First-Team Freshman All-American;^[55] SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[56] Rivals.com SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year;^[57] Scout.com Freshman All-American Team^[58]
• T.J. Johnson – SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[59] Rivals.com SEC All-Freshman Team^[60]

2009 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Corey Addison DB	Jacksonville, Florida	Andrew Jackson HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	-	Aug 2, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Nick Allison OL	Asheville, North Carolina	T.C. Roberson HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	5.0	Jun 7, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
DeMario Bennett WR	Douglas, Georgia	Coffee County HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.49	Jul 18, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Ronald Byrd DE	Fork Union, Virginia	Fork Union Military Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	4.8	Sep 25, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 70
Duane Chisolm DE	Beaufort, South Carolina	Beaufort HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	4.75	Dec 7, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Andrew Clifford QB	Tampa, Florida	Wharton HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.8	Feb 1, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Matt Coffee ATH	Ft. Walton Beach, Florida	Ft. Walton Beach HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	214 lb (97 kg)	4.53	Jul 1, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Justice Cunningham TE	Pageland, South Carolina	Central HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	242 lb (110 kg)	4.78	Apr 19, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Josh Dickerson LB	Milledgeville, Georgia	Georgia Military College	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.6	Sep 28, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: -
Aldrick Fordham DE	St. Stephen, South Carolina	Timberland HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	234 lb (106 kg)	4.75	Jul 1, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Jarvis Giles RB	Tampa, Florida	Gaither HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.5	Dec 9, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 83
Stephon Gilmore DB	Rock Hill, South Carolina	South Pointe HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	181 lb (82 kg)	4.5	Oct 14, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 85
Chaun Gresham LB	Winder, Georgia	Apalachee HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	-	Aug 8, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
DeVonte Holloman DB	Rock Hill, South Carolina	South Pointe HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	214 lb (97 kg)	4.5	Nov 14, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 84
Charles Holmes WR	Rock Hill, South Carolina	South Pointe HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	197 lb (89 kg)	4.55	Jul 19, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Alshon Jeffery WR	St. Matthews, South Carolina	Calhoun County HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	214 lb (97 kg)	4.5	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 81
Damario Jeffery DB	Columbia, South Carolina	Columbia HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.5	Aug 1, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 81
Jimmy Legree ATH	Beaufort, South Carolina	Beaufort HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	172 lb (78 kg)	4.5	Aug 7, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Leon Mackey DE	Chatham, Virginia	Hargrave Military Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	5.0	Feb 1, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Chris Payne DB	Columbia, South Carolina	Columbia HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.49	Mar 6, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 82
Lamar Scruggs WR	Jacksonville, Florida	Duncan U. Fletcher HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	212 lb (96 kg)	-	Jan 27, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Steven Singleton OL	Milledgeville, Georgia	Georgia Military College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	310 lb (140 kg)	5.2	Dec 13, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: -
DeAngelo Smith WR	Kingsland, Georgia	Camden County HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	174 lb (79 kg)	-	Jul 18, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Quin Smith LB	Lenoir, North Carolina	Hibriten HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.63	Jun 10, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Tony Straughter LB	Milledgeville, Georgia	Georgia Military College	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.55	Sep 21, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: -
Chaz Sutton DE	Fork Union, Virginia	Fork Union Military Academy	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.8	Sep 25, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
D.J. Swearinger DB	Greenwood, South Carolina	Greenwood HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	196 lb (89 kg)	4.44	Nov 23, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Rokevious Watkins OL	Milledgeville, Georgia	Georgia Military College	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	340 lb (150 kg)	5.3	Dec 13, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: -
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 13   Rivals: 12  ESPN: 12
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "South Carolina Signee List 2009". Rivals.com. "Scout.com Football Recruiting: South Carolina". Scout.com. "2009 Player Signees- South Carolina". ESPN.com. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Rankings

See also: 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	—	—	—	—	—	25	22	23	21	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Coaches	—	—	—	—	—	—	22	23	21	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Harris	Not released				—	—	22	—	21	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released
BCS	Not released							24	22	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

Statistics

Scores by quarter

1 2 3 4 Total South Carolina 65 69 87 40 261 Opponents 71 78 39 57 245

Team

USC Opp Scoring 261 245   Points per Game 21.8 20.4 First Downs 227 188   Rushing 86 97   Passing 125 79   Penalty 16 12 Total Offense 4311 3656   Avg per Play 5.3 4.8   Avg per Game 359.2 304.7 Fumbles-Lost 23-10 16–10 Penalties-Yards 76-654 71-586   Avg per Game 54.5 48.8

USC Opp Punts-Yards 62-2594 63–2460   Avg per Punt 41.8 39.0 Time of Possession/Game 30:54 29:06 3rd Down Conversions 67/173 63/172 4th Down Conversions 10/19 6/19 Touchdowns Scored 30 29 Field Goals-Attempts 17-20 14–21 PAT-Attempts 28-30 27–28 Attendance 527,580 407,469   Games/Avg per Game 7/75,369 5/81,494

Offense

Rushing

Name	GP-GS	Att	Gain	Loss	Net	Avg	TD	Long	Avg/G
Kenny Miles	12-6	111	616	14	602	5.4	1	26	50.2
Brian Maddox	12-5	100	324	19	305	3.0	5	14	25.4
Jarvis Giles	9-0	52	298	21	277	5.3	1	38	30.8
Stephen Garcia	12-12	105	372	242	130	1.2	4	21	10.8
Moe Brown	11-11	5	105	0	105	21.0	0	50	9.5
Bryce Sherman	11-1	7	58	4	54	7.7	0	23	4.9
Patrick DiMarco	12-8	10	31	0	31	3.1	0	7	2.6
Stephon Gilmore	12-12	5	20	0	20	4.0	0	8	1.7
Total		409	1860	360	1500	3.7	11	50	125.0
Opponents		431	1956	312	1644	3.8	15	61	137.0

Passing

Name	GP-GS	Effic	Cmp-Att-Int	Pct	Yds	TD	Lng	Avg/G
Stephen Garcia	12-12	124.5	223-394-9	56.6	2733	17	80	227.8
Reid McCollum	2-0	176.3	4-6-0	66.7	39	1	20	19.5
Total		125.8	228-402-9	56.7	2811	18	80	234.2
Opponents		114.1	183-327-6	56.0	2012	10	69	167.7

Receiving

Name	GP-GS	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long	Avg/G
Alshon Jeffery	12-6	43	735	17.1	6	80	61.2
Moe Brown	11-11	32	479	15.0	3	69	43.5
Weslye Saunders	11-9	30	360	12.0	3	30	32.7
Tori Gurley	12-5	28	426	15.2	2	44	35.5
Jason Barnes	12-6	24	266	11.1	0	22	22.2
Brian Maddox	12-5	17	135	7.9	2	24	11.2
Kenny Miles	12-6	17	114	6.7	0	20	9.5
Patrick DiMarco	12-8	14	78	5.6	1	15	6.5
D.L. Moore	12-0	6	61	10.2	1	35	5.1
Jarvis Giles	9-0	5	26	5.2	0	12	2.9
Dion Lecorn	6-0	4	27	6.8	0	13	4.5
Total		228	2811	12.3	18	80	234.2
Opponents		183	2012	11.0	10	69	167.7

Defense

Name	GP	Tackles				Sacks	Pass Defense		Interceptions				Fumbles		Blkd Kick
		Solo	Ast	Total	TFL-Yds	No-Yds	BrUp	QBH	No.-Yds	Avg	TD	Long	Rcv-Yds	FF
Total		505	264	769	77-269	27-172	44	29	6-113	18.8	1	54	10-23	13	4

Special teams

Name	Punting								Kickoffs
	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TB	FC	I20	Blkd	No.	Yds	Avg	TB	OB
Spencer Lanning	62	2594	41.8	56	8	18	15	0	9	437	48.6	0	1
Adam Yates									48	2963	61.7	1	2
Total	62	2594	41.8	56	8	18	15	0	57	3400	59.6	1	3

Name	Punt Returns					Kick Returns
	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long
Chris Culliver						26	585	22.5	0	61
Bryce Sherman						19	409	21.5	0	35
Stephon Gilmore	13	148	11.4	0	35
Akeem Auguste	6	17	2.8	0	13	1	15	15.0	0	15
Total	21	177	8.4	0	35	49	1056	21.6	0	61

Coaching staff

• Steve Spurrier – Head Coach^[61]
• Ellis Johnson – Assistant Head Coach & Defense Assistant Coach^[62]
• Lorenzo Ward – Defensive Coordinator & Safeties^[63]
• Shane Beamer – Cornerbacks/Special Teams & Recruiting Coordinator^[64]
• Jay Graham – Running Backs^[65]
• Johnson Hunter – Tight Ends^[66]
• Brad Lawing – Defensive Line^[67]
• G. A. Mangus – Quarterbacks^[68]
• Steve Spurrier Jr. – Wide Receivers^[69]
• Eric Wolford – Offensive Line^[70]
• Craig Fitzgerald – Strength^[71]

Notes and references

1. "Sandstorm" was introduced to South Carolina home football games during the near-upset over LSU in 2008.^[6] However, the upset over Ole Miss in 2009 is widely considered the start of "'Sandstorm' fever" at South Carolina.^[7][8][9]

1. South Carolina Dominates Clemson, 34-17
2. "Connecticut 20-7 South Carolina (Jan 2, 2010) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
3. Pollock, Tim. "Stephen Garcia Leads the 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks, But To Where?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
4. "Stephen Garcia". University of South Carolina Athletics. June 22, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
5. Kelley, Kevin (August 31, 2009). "Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
6. "'Sandstorm' creator Darude will be in Columbia this weekend. How it came to be". The State. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
7. "'Sandstorm' creator Darude will be in Columbia this weekend. How it came to be". The State. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
8. "How a Finnish DJ created a 'Sandstorm' in the SEC and across the sports world". ESPN.com. August 28, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
9. "USC students, fans make "Sandstorm" their unofficial anthem". www.wistv.com. November 30, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
10. "How a Finnish DJ created a 'Sandstorm' in the SEC and across the sports world". ESPN.com. August 28, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
11. "USC students, fans make "Sandstorm" their unofficial anthem". www.wistv.com. November 30, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
12. "How 2009 USC win over Clemson served as a springboard to program's glory years".
13. "Winsipedia - South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Clemson Tigers football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
14. Miller, Kevin (October 1, 2024). "South Carolina football changed forever when Ole Miss last visited". On3. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
15. "South Carolina Gamecocks vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
16. "South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Georgia Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
17. "Florida Atlantic Owls vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
18. "Mississippi Rebels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
19. "South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
20. "Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
21. "South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
22. "Vanderbilt Commodores vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
23. "South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Tennessee Volunteers Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
24. "South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
25. "Florida Gators vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
26. "Clemson Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
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28. "2009-2010 Football Schedule". University of South Carolina Athletic Media Relations. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
29. "Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings". Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
30. "Gamecock Sports Radio Network". Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
31. "Carolina – Ole Miss Game Moved to Thursday Night". University of South Carolina Athletic Media Relations. February 12, 2009. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
32. "Under Armour & WWP to Unveil Customized Camo Football Uniforms & Sideline Gear". Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
33. Taylor Named Defensive Lineman of the Week
34. Jeffery, Gilmore Named Freshmen All-Americans
35. Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
36. "Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
37. Giles Named SEC Freshman of the Week
38. "SEC Football Players of the Week". Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
39. Norwood Named Butkus Finalist
40. All-SEC Football Team Announced Archived December 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
41. Norwood Earns First-Team AP All-SEC Honors
42. ESPN.com's All-SEC team
43. Norwood Named First-Team All-American
44. Norwood Named A.P. First-Team All-American
45. "SEC Football Players of the Week". Archived from the original on October 15, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
46. Jeffery, Gilmore Named Freshmen All-Americans
47. Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
48. "Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
49. Jeffery, Gilmore Named to Scout.com Freshman All-America Squad
50. "Jeffery Named FWAA Freshman All-American". Archived from the original on March 4, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
51. Ajiboye Honored by SEC
52. All-SEC Football Team Announced Archived December 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
53. Norwood Earns First-Team AP All-SEC Honors
54. Norwood Earns First-Team AP All-SEC Honors
55. Jeffery, Gilmore Named Freshmen All-Americans
56. Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
57. "Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
58. Jeffery, Gilmore Named to Scout.com Freshman All-America Squad
59. Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
60. "Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
61. "Bio: Steve Spurrier". Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
62. "Bio: Ellis Johnson". Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
63. "Bio: Lorenzo Ward". Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
64. Bio: Shane Beamer
65. "Bio: Jay Graham". Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
66. Bio: Johnson Hunter
67. "Bio: Brad Lawing". Archived from the original on December 25, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
68. "Bio: G.A. Mangus". Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
69. "Bio: Steve Spurrier, Jr". Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
70. Bio: Eric Wolford
71. "Bio: Craig Fitzgerald". Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.